Workman s time-recorder



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. A. WIDMER.

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

No. 542,578. Patented July 9,1895.

%WTNESSES: INVENTQRI i J E9 UZ'BaYarjjs fZZ/U'zamer.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sh6et 2,

G. A. WIDMER.

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

No. 542,578. Patented July 9, 1895.

I 00mm i EI mac: 6 [1 g i mama 0 mm wdwmcwmmm/Q g r F] v H WlTNfESSES: a ENVENTOR: @WQ MM H ohms FLZ/Jidmer, -1:)'l'7:/ (3& 8& I fl/ ATTO EY .3 t Bu 6 h S 8 e h S 3 R E D E EE M E WM I WT -m AN m UK on 0 W (No Model.)

No. 542,578. Patented July 9,1895.

WITNESSES: v

m WW m m h. U

STATES PATENT Qrrica.

CHARLES A. WIDMER, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE IVIDMER TIME RECORDER COMPANY, OF NEW JERSEY.

WORKMANS TIME-RECORDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,578, dated July 9, 1895. Application filed March 14, 1895. Serial No. 541.651. (No model) To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. WIDMER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vorkmens Time- Recorders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to employs time-recorders, and especially to improvements in the devices for printing the record of the keys inserted.

It has for its object to simplify the construction of, to reduce the cost of, and at the same time to obtain increased reliability of record and greater durability in time-recorders.

To this end my invention consists essentially in embodying in a time-recorder one or more type-plates, each provided with a series of stepped teeth with which the key engages to arrest the motion and to determine the position assumed by said type-plates when the actuating-handle is depressed.

The nature of my invention will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure I represents a front elevation of a time-recorder constructed according to my invention with a portion of the frame removed. Fig. II is an end elevation,looking from the left of Fig. I. Fig. III is a top view, part being broken away. Fig. IV is an end elevation, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the type-plates and the parts actuating the same. Fig. V is a section on the line 5 5, Fig. IV. Fig. VI is a section on the line 6 6, Fig. V. Fig. VII is a plan or top View of one of the type-plates. Fig. VIII illustrates the construction of the keys. Fig. IX is a front elevation of the time-recorder incased. Fig. X is a plan view of a modified form for the typeplates. Fig. XI is a side elevation of Fig. X. Fig. XII illustrates keys adapted for the construction shown in Figs. X and XI.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring at present to Figs. 1, II, and III of the drawings for a brief description of the parts usually embodied in employs time-recorders, the letter Adesignates a frame suitably construeted to support the several operative parts. 0, Fig.1, is a clock-movement of a usual form and connected by intermediate pinions to the time-wheels B D for indicating the hours and minutes, respectively. B is the paper ribbon or tape, coiled on a suitable delivery-spool R at the top of the frame and conducted to the take-up roll R at the bottom of the frame. II is a suitable hammer, and I is the inkribbon supplied from the spool I and received by a take-up rollor spool 1 All these parts are well known and may be of any suitable form and operated as usual, the distinctive features of my invention being the type-plates and the means for operating the same, which I shall now pro ceed to describe with reference to Figs. I, IV, and V.

Referring now to said figures, the letters E F designate two type-plates fitted to .recip rocate between two rectilinear guides at a secured to the frame A. Said type-plates are provided on their upper or printing faces with numerals or other characters corresponding to the keys. In the present in stance I make use of numerals, those on the plate E corresponding to the units and those on the plate F to the tens. These plates are mounted vertically and provided with webs at right angles thereto, formed each with a series of stepped teeth of, adapted to engage with the key. The keyhole K is arranged directly opposite the stepped teeth efof the type-plates, and the key is adapted to extend across the paths of said teeth to engage with the same for the purpose of arresting the forward motion of the type-plates. The typeplates are independently mounted and may be actuated by any suitable mechanism. In the present instance the same are connected by two levers E F adapted to turn about a shaft 1) at the lower part of the frame. Said type-plate levers are connected by springs 0 cl, or by any other suitable yielding connection, to a crank-arm G adapted to be turned about the shaft 1) and retracted by a spiral spring g. This arm is provided witha handle G projecting through the casing of the device and playing in a slot 9 in the frame A,

which slot limits its motion in either direction. The crank-arm G is provided with a heel g reaching across and bearing against the levers E F for the purpose of holding spool 1 On said lever is mounted a hinged spring-pressed finger j, adapted to engage with the roller-stud "on an armj', projecting from the hub of the hammer, which hub can turn on the shaftj The fingerj is faced off taper on-its rear vertical side and drops the arm j after the hammer is sufficiently lifted, thus tripping the latter. On the return stroke of the lever J the finger yields laterally and passes the arm j.

To lift the hammer from-the paper ribbon or tape after the impression has been made, I provide a rebounder Z, consisting of a springpressed stud arranged in the path of an extension Z on the hammer H. The stud yielding permits the hammer-to make'the impression and then holds the same slightly above the ribbon.

To feed the ink-ribbon at the required intervals, I have, in this instance, made use of y a spring-pawl m, mounted on the lever J and adapted to engage with and turn the pinion t" on the arbor of the'take-up spool 1 Below the pinion t is located a weighted detent 'n, 1

which latter prevents retrograde motion of the pinion. The take-up roll R for the paper ribbon or tape is geared to the pinion t" by a pinion 0. v

The graduated keys K for determining the extent of motion of. the type-plates E F, and consequently the number or numbers brought into the printing-line, are illustrated in Fig. VIII. Each key is provided with a stop 70, which determines the distance which the key can be inserted into the keyhole. The end of the key is wide enough to extend across the stepped surfaces of both type-plates E and F,

' and consequently the distance of the end of the key from said stepped surfaces will determine the distance which the individual typeplate can move. The surface s at the end of the key engages with the units type-plate E and the surface s with the tens type-plate F.

The operation of the type-plates and key is as follows: Normally the type-plates are in the positions shown in Fig. I, in which positions all the characters thereon are to the right of the pi'intingline. The key, say number 16, is inserted into the keyhole and the handle G then depressed. Under the action of the springs c d the levers E F are turned and carry the type-plates toward the left of Fig. I. The face 3' of the key is engaged by the first step on the type-plate F, and the motion of the latter is arrested and numeral 1 is then in the printing-line. The type plate E continues to move until the sixth step ongages the face .9 of said key. In this position of the plate E numeral 6 is in the printingline and completes the number 16. With the depression of the handle G the hammer H is raised, and simultaneously therewith the paper and ink ribbons are fed forward. The crank-arm on its return stroke, under the influence of spring g, returns the type-plates and levers to their normal positions.

While I have herein shown the type-plates applied to a time-recorderworked by an actuating-handle,it is evident that they may be similarly embodied in automatic recorderst-hat is to say, in recorders in which the insertion of the key also act-uates the several operative parts.

In Figs. Xand XI, Ihave shown the stepped teeth formed directly .on the bottom of the type-plates E F, instead of on aweb at right angles to the body of the plate. The steps on the keys K are then formed on the side of the key, as shown in Fig. XII.

What I claim as new isv 1. In a time-recorder, the combination of a type-plate mounted to slide and provided with a series of stepped teeth adapted to engage with the key, and a handle in operative connection with said type-plate for moving the same toward the key to bring the corresponding character into the printing line, substantially as described.

2. In a time-recorder, the combination of a type plate mounted to slide andprovided with a series of stepped teeth adapted to engage with the key, an operating handle, and an operative yielding connection between said handle and the type-plate for moving the latter toward the key to bring the corresponding character into the printing line, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a plurality of sliding, independently mounted type-plates provided with stepped teeth adapted to engage with the key, an actuating handle, and a yielding operative connection between said handle and the type-plates for moving the latter toward the key to bring the corresponding characters into the printing line, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a plurality of sliding, independently mounted type-plates provided with stepped teeth adapted to engage ing said type-plates respectively, a crank arm engaging said levers for returning the same to their normal positions, and a yielding connection between said crank arm and the levers for actuating the latter to move the typeplates toward the key, substantially as de-,

scribed.

5. In a time recorder, the combination of a plurality of sliding, independently mounted type-plates provided with stepped teeth, keys provided with stops 7c. and with graduated I 20 with the key, of a plurality of levers engagends adapted to extend across the stepped my invention I have signed my name in presteeth of the type-plates for checking the moence of two witnesses. tion of the latter, and an actuating handle in operative connection with said type-plates for CHARLES A. XVIDMER. 5 moving the same toward the key, snbstan- Witnesses:

tially as described. EUGENIE PERSIDES,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as CHAS. V. THOMAS. 

